NDMU’s School of Education, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Public Schools, provided free academic support to local students in need starting in fall 2020, helping to boost one school’s attendance rate for distance learning over the district’s average.

Local students pose with their suppliesThrough a grant from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, the School of Education faculty promoted student success at the John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School with the Excellence in Remote Instruction Support and Engagement (e-RISE) program. Assistant Professor Patty Silver and vice principal Lauren Watson ‘00, M’06 led the program as partners in NDMU’s professional development school, where education students get their teaching experience.

When the program launched, students just began the 2020-21 academic year with distance learning, and many of them struggled to have access to the internet and tablets at home. The e-RISE program helped students fully engage in their classes by providing free internet hotspots, tablets and headphones, and tutoring using volunteer teachers and college interns.

The students’ virtual attendance rate saw a dramatic increase, jumping to 91% in January 2021, which exceeds the average attendance rate in Baltimore City Public Schools. English language learners also saw significant improvements in their proficiency.